Syndactyly Explained: A Comprehensive Guide to this Malformation of Hands or Feet

By: MRT Desk

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Syndactyly: a Malformation That Can Affect Your Life

Syndactyly is a birth malformation that can severely impact a person’s day-to-day life, depending on the severity. It occurs when one or more fingers or toes are fused, and can come to condition the life of the patient who suffers from it, especially in the case of fusion in the hand. The condition can significantly affect the function of the hand.

Types of Syndactyly

Syndactyly can be complete or incomplete. Complete syndactyly occurs when the fingers or toes are fused to the tip, while incomplete syndactyly happens when they are only fused at the base. Complete syndactyly is more disabling, especially when it involves the fusion of the thumb and index finger or fusion of more than two fingers. Moreover, syndactyly can be simple, when there is only fusion of the skin, or complex, when there is also fusion of other structures such as bones or cartilage. Complex syndactyly requires greater technical difficulty to repair and can affect the mobility of the joints of the affected fingers.

Celebrities with Syndactyly

Former gymnast Almudena Cid has shared with her followers that she suffers from syndactyly, in her case in her toes. In an image posted on her social networks, she revealed that she has two toes joined together, which makes her feel different. Almudena Cid refers to how she protected her feet by wearing toecaps. When she stopped using them, she felt like she was walking without protection, and everything she hid for years was revealed.

Is Syndactyly a Genetic Disease?

Syndactyly may have hereditary cases, although the majority are spontaneous mutations. There are also syndromes that include syndactyly as part of their characteristics. A family history of syndactyly increases the risk of suffering from it.

Treating Syndactyly

The solution to this problem is surgical. The fingers or toes need to be separated, and the defect between them covered with skin taken from another part of the body, usually the groin. In complex cases, the technique can include reconstruction of joint structures and more complex coverages.

Possible Complications

Any surgery carries the risk of complications such as bleeding, infection, or scars. In the specific case of complex syndactyly, deviations or stiffness of the joints can occur because the joint structure has not been completely normal after being fused. It requires particular attention from the specialist.

In conclusion, syndactyly is a condition that can affect a patient’s quality of life, but it can be corrected with surgery. If you suffer from this ailment, make sure to consult with a specialist that can guide you on the best options for treatment.

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